** Union Minister Annapurna Devi Chairs Review of Women and Child Development Schemes in Kolkata

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Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Mrs. Annapurna Devi, presided over a comprehensive review meeting of the ministry’s flagship schemes in Kolkata, bringing together senior officials from the central and West Bengal governments, representatives of state‑run ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) centres, NGOs, and experts from the National Institute of Rural Development. The gathering was convened to assess the performance of key initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, the National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan), and the Swadhar Griha scheme, which aim to improve health, education and protection outcomes for girls, women and children.

During the session, officials presented the latest data on enrollment, nutrition indicators and scheme coverage. While the state has recorded notable gains in early childhood nutrition—evidenced by a modest rise in the proportion of children receiving a minimum of 85 % of recommended dietary intake—the review highlighted persistent gaps in rural outreach, especially in districts with high tribal populations. Concerns were also raised about the uneven quality of Anganwadi services, delays in the disbursement of cash incentives under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, and the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms to curb leakage. Minister Devi underscored the importance of leveraging technology for real‑time tracking and called for a coordinated effort between central and state agencies to bridge service delivery shortfalls.

The meeting concluded with a set of actionable recommendations, including the allocation of additional central funds to upgrade Anganwadi infrastructure, the rollout of a state‑wide digital dashboard for scheme monitoring, and the formation of a joint task force to expedite grievance redressal. The minister pledged continued central support and announced that a follow‑up evaluation will be conducted within the next quarter to gauge the impact of these interventions. The review reflects the government’s broader commitment to accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals related to gender equality, health and child welfare in West Bengal.